Broadmoor rated inadequate in inspection for 'restraining patients too frequently'

Inadequate: Broadmoor Hospital houses patients including Peter Sutcliffe the Yorkshire Ripper
Rex Features
Laura Proto16 September 2015

Broadmoor Hospital has been rated as inadequate after patients were found to be physically restrained too frequently, the health watchdog has found.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said in its latest report that inspectors did not see convincing evidence seclusion and restraint were only being used in cases when it was deemed absolutely necessary.

The high security hospital, which houses some of Britain’s most notorious male criminals including Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe, has also encountered problems recruiting staff.

Issues surrounding staffing levels do not pose a threat to the security at the West London Mental Health NHS Trust unit, the CQC said, but patients may be spending too much time in their rooms as activities are cancelled.

The trust received a requires improvement rating in relation to being safe, effective and well-led after a five-day inspection in June.

Improvement recommendations for the trust, with provides provision for more than 33,000 people, include ensuring seclusion facilities are in good condition and making sure staffing levels are sufficient to guarantee patient and staff safety.

The trust was rated good for being caring and responsive and said staff at the unit were seen to show “real concern for patients on an individual basis and a desire to see them progress towards recovery.”

Steve Shrubb, chief executive of the trust, said he recognised the need to cut down on the frequency of patients being restrained and said staff conditions must be improved.

He added: “We need to speed up the work the leadership team is undertaking to create the conditions for our staff to be the best they can be.

“This includes increasing staffing, improving staff engagement and morale and reducing the use of restrictive practices including restraint and seclusion.”

Dr Paul Lelliott, deputy chief inspector of hospitals and lead for mental health, said staff shortages in the trust are having a "noticeable impact on the quality of some services".

He said: “We were concerned at the apparent overuse of physical restraint, and the failure to keep proper records. Staff must use restraint only as a last resort, and minimise the use of restraint in the prone (face-down) position.

“They must record the use of all types of restrictive intervention. They must also make the necessary physical health observations to ensure the safety of patients who have been given an injection to manage disturbed or distressed behaviour.”

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